Watch: Drone captures auto burglary along San Francisco Embarcadero, suspects' arrest
Police in San Francisco on Thursday showed how drones and Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) systems were helping officers crack down on auto burglaries with a video demonstrating the technology in action.
The use of drones and ALPR systems by police began earlier this year after the passage of Prop E. ALPR cameras were installed at locations across the city back in March.
The clip posted to the San Francisco Police Department's X account showed drone video of the recent arrest of three auto burglary suspects seen breaking into a tourist's vehicle in the Exploratorium parking lot along the Embarcadero.
Text in the video notes that on Aug. 22, the department's Flock ALPR system alerted officers of a red Hyundai that was a suspect vehicle in an auto break-in the day before.
The clip shows the vehicle entering the parking lot located at Green and Front streets and parking alongside a black SUV. One of the suspects is seen exiting the Hyundai, breaking one of the rear side windows of the SUV, removing luggage out of the vehicle with the help of a second suspect.
After loading several pieces of luggage into the Hyundai, the suspects are seen leaving the parking lot, apparently unaware that they were already under the watchful eye of the SFPD drone. The drone follows the vehicle, avoiding the need for a police pursuit until officers on the ground disable the Hyundai with a spike strip.
The video shows three suspects fleeing the vehicle on foot before being taken into custody by additional officers on the ground. The video noted that all three suspects were armed with loaded handguns. Police also found burglary tools in addition to the four pieces of luggage taken from the targeted SUV. The luggage along with at least one passport were returned to the victims.
Police said there has been a 56% drop in auto burglaries between July 2023 and July 2024. The SFPD has posted additional information on how the department uses drones on its website.
CBS News Bay Area went back out to the parking lot near the Exploratorium where the break-in happened to talk with people about their feelings about the crackdown.
"Coming from a big city, I'm from Mexico City, so it's kind of the same reputation. So you're kind of used to it," said Luis Camargo.
Camargo is here visiting San Francisco with his family. He said SF's reputation for car break-ins is well known, even in Mexico. That's why when he travels here, he does everything he can to try and prevent one.
"No belongings inside the car. Nothing you can see. Nothing you can bring, if anything," said Camargo.
Still, he was surprised to learn a break-in had recently happened in the same lot his family parked in. He told us he's happy police are using drones to catch the criminals, but said he still thinks that may not be enough.
"I mean, whatever you can use is great, but the criminals are going to find their ways," said Camargo.
Castro Valley native Jack Morris said he's a little more hesitant about the program.
"You'd hope it'd work. Don't know if it's a good idea. I mean maybe now, but eventually it could be robo cop," said Morris.
Morris said he himself has been a victim of a car break-in in the city. He knows something needs to be done to stop it, he's just not sure how exactly it should be done.
"Just you hope for a better community everywhere around to help solve it," said Morris.
Police say they plan to continue using the drones to catch people breaking into cars. The significant drop in the amount of break-ins is a sign they believe shows the program is working.
